RECIPE: Pickled Walnut Meatballs with tomato and green peppercorn sauce

• Features, Food & Drink, Recipes
• 12th March 2026
• Cumbria Guide

Pickled Walnut Meatballs

with tomato and green peppercorn sauce

Give classic meatballs a flavour boost with the bold, distinctive taste of pickled walnuts. Combined with a rich tomato sauce and warming spices, this dish is a simple yet impressive meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 500g beef or lamb mince
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 Opies Pickled Walnuts, finely chopped
• 2 eggs
• 150g breadcrumbs – fresh
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 20g fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for frying

For the sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp balsamic sugar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp spiced malt vinegar (from jar)
• 1 Opies Pickled Walnut, finely chopped
• 1–2 tsp Opies Green Peppercorns
• Salt and pepper to taste

To serve:

• 300g dried pasta (spaghetti, penne, or tagliatelle)
• Fresh parsley or grated cheese (optional)

Method:

1. In a large bowl, mix the mince, onion, garlic, pickled walnuts, egg, breadcrumbs, tomato purée, oregano, salt, and pepper. Shape into small meatballs.
2. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides (about 10–12 minutes). Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add olive oil and gently cook the chopped pickled walnut for 1 minute. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, sugar, balsamic vinegar, and green peppercorns. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Season to taste.
4. Return the meatballs to the pan and simmer in the sauce for 10 minutes until cooked through.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to packet instructions. Drain and toss with a little olive oil.
6. Spoon the meatballs and sauce over the pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated cheese if desired.

Recipe courtesy; www.bennettopie.com

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